Flexible ring

ABSTRACT

A flexible ring comprising: a bottom solid portion; at least two gemstone settings attached to the bottom solid portion to provide end gemstone settings, each of the end gemstone settings having at least one flexible side having an end opening; at least one middle gemstone setting having two side middle end openings; a middle bar with a first protruding end and a second protruding end, wherein at least one of the first protruding ends and the second protruding ends is received in at least one of the end openings and one of the two side middle end openings.

PRIORITY CLAIM AND FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This application claims priority to provisional patent application No. 61/977,427 filed Apr. 9, 2014 and entitled “Flexible Ring.”

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to jewelry and a ring that may accommodate a wider range of sizes and fluctuations in ring size of the wearer.

1. Description of Related Art

Prior art rings are generally purchased in a size that does not change or accommodate for any fluctuations in the wearers ring size. Wearers of rings often want a flexible sized ring, as their weight and/or ring size may fluctuate. Also, water retention may cause fingers to expand, but the wearer does not want to change the size of the ring, as it will again reduce. Accordingly, it would be desirable for such wearers to have a ring that can accommodate fluctuations in ring size, as in the present invention. Also, a wearer may want a ring that flexes to ease in removal of the ring, or provide easy on and off.

2. Summary of the Invention

Aspects of the present invention provide a flexible ring apparatus that includes gemstones and is flexible or flexes.

One aspect of the present invention provides, a flexible ring comprising: a bottom solid portion; at least two gemstone settings attached to the bottom solid portion to provide end gemstone settings, each of the end gemstone settings having at least one flexible side having an end opening; at least one middle gemstone setting having two side middle end openings; a middle bar with a first protruding end and a second protruding end, wherein at least one of the first protruding ends and the second protruding ends is received in at least one of the end openings and one of the two side middle end openings.

Another aspect of the present invention provides, a flexible ring comprising: a bottom solid portion, wherein the bottom solid portion is forty (40) percent of the circumference of the flexible ring; at least two gemstone settings attached to the bottom solid portion to provide end gemstone settings, each of the end gemstone settings having a fixed side and a flexible side having an end opening; at least one middle gemstone setting having two side middle end openings; a double T shaped bar, wherein a portion of the double T Shaped bar is received in at least one of the end openings and one of the two side middle end openings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side perspective view of the Gemstone Setting as in the present invention;

FIG. 1A is a side perspective view of the Gemstone Setting as in the present invention with the top gemstone portion in a flexed position;

FIG. 2 is a side view of Gemstone Setting as in the present invention;

FIG. 2A is a side view of the Gemstone Setting as in the present invention with the top gemstone portion in a flexed position;

FIG. 3 is a front view of the Gemstone Setting as in the present invention;

FIG. 3A is a front view of the Gemstone Setting as in the present invention with the top gemstone portion in a flexed position;

FIG. 3B is a front view of the Gemstone Setting as in the present invention with the top gemstone portion in a flexed S position;

FIG. 4 is a top view of the Gemstone Setting as in the present invention;

FIG. 4A is a top view of the Gemstone Setting as in the present invention with the top gemstone portion in a flexed position;

FIG. 4B is a top view of the Gemstone Setting as in the present invention with the top gemstone portion in a flexed S position;

FIG. 5 is a bottom view of the Gemstone Setting as in the present invention;

FIG. 5A is a bottom view of the Gemstone Setting as in the present invention with the top gemstone portion in a flexed position;

FIG. 5B is a bottom view of the Gemstone Setting as in the present invention with the top gemstone portion in a flexed S position;

FIG. 6 is a top view of the Gemstone Setting as in the present invention;

FIG. 7 is a side view of the Gemstone Setting as in the present invention;

FIG. 8 is a side view of the Gemstone Setting as in the present invention;

FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the Gemstone Setting as in the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the Gemstone Setting as in the present invention;

FIG. 11 is an exploded top view of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is an exploded side view of the present invention;

FIG. 13 is a top view of the present invention;

FIG. 14 is a side view of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a side view of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a side view of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a side view and top view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a side view and top view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a side view and top view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a side view and top view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a side view and top view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 22 is a side view and top view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a side view and top view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a side view and top view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a side view and top view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 26 is a side view and top view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a side view and top view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a side view and top view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 29 is a side view and top view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 30 is a side view and top view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 31 is a side view and top view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 32 is a side view and top view of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 33 is a top view with portions removed of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 34 is a top view with portions removed of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 35 is a top view with portions removed of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 36 is a top view with portions removed of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 37 is a top view with portions removed of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 38 is a top view with portions removed of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 39 is a top view with portions removed of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 40 is a top elevation view with portions removed of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 41 is a top elevation view with portions removed of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 42 is a top elevation view with portions removed of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 43 is a top elevation view with portions removed of one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 44 is a top view of a double T shaped bar according to the present invention;

FIG. 45 is a top view of a single T shaped bar according to the present invention; and

FIG. 46 is a top view of a double T shaped bar with rounded edges.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The ring of the present invention, improves upon the experience of wearing jewelry by allowing the wearer to have a range of sizes and a ring that flexes for easy on and off.

FIGS. 1-46 depict a flexible ring according to the present invention. The flexible ring comprising: a bottom solid portion (12); at least two gemstone settings attached to the bottom solid portion (12) to provide end gemstone settings (11), each of the end gemstone settings (11) having at least one flexible side having an end opening (13); at least one middle gemstone setting (10) having two side middle end openings (16); a middle bar (18, 102) with a first protruding end (100) and a second protruding end (104), wherein at least one of the first protruding ends (100) and the second protruding ends (104) is received in at least one of the end openings (13) and one of the two side middle end openings (16). This is to say that the end getting setting (11) may be have a fixed side (in that it does not flex relative to the bottom solid portion (12) and a flexible side (that does flex and move) having an end opening. According to another embodiment, a single T shaped bar (as depicted in FIG. 45) has a first protruding end (106), a second protruding end (110) and a middle bar (108). In this embodiment, the second protruding end (110) is attached to one side of the bottom solid portion and a portion of the T shaped first protruding end (16) is received in at least one of the end openings (13).

According to one embodiment, each of the at least one middle gemstones settings may have a left half (30), a right half (32) and receiving space (42) between a portion of the left half and the right half. The left half (30) and right half may be formed together, such as by any attachment means as would be known in the art (melting, soldering, etc.). The middle bar with a first protruding end and a second protruding end may be a double T shaped bar with a middle straight section (102), a first T shaped end (100) and a second T shaped end (140). The term T shape refers to one horizontal portion with a vertical portion at an end to form a T shape, as in the capital letter “T”. In this embodiment, the portion of the double T Shaped bar that is received in at least one of the end openings and one of the two side middle end openings is the middle straight section (102) of the double T shaped bar.

As depicted in FIGS. 17-32, the bottom solid portion (12) is between thirty (30) and forty-two (42) percent of the circumference of the flexible ring, preferably forty (40) percent. As can be seen, there can be a variety of sizes of gemstones, but they should cover between thirty (30) and forty-two (42) percent of the circumference of the ring. In this way, the number of diamonds is minimized, while giving the appearance of a full ring of diamonds. Also, this provides for the desired amount of flex.

According to one embodiment, each of the first protruding ends and second protruding ends have squared off edges (as shown in FIGS. 44 and 45). According to an alternate embodiment, each of the first protruding ends and a second protruding ends have rounded edges (as depicted in FIG. 33) as hinges (20). Another embodiment in depicted in FIG. 46, showing rounded edges (112) on a double T shaped bar.

Each of the at least two gemstone settings and the at least one middle gemstone setting has at least three prongs (36) for retaining a gemstone (15) therein. There may also be light emitting openings (17) along the sides of each of the at least two gemstone settings and the at least one middle gemstone setting. This allows the gemstone to sparkle more. The gemstone may be selected from the group consisting of one or more diamonds, rubies, emeralds, sapphires, turquoises, and semi-precious stones.

The present invention has been described in relation to particular examples, which are intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive, with the scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the following claims and their equivalents. 

1. A flexible ring comprising: a bottom solid portion; at least two gemstone settings attached to the bottom solid portion to provide end gemstone settings, each of the end gemstone settings having a flexible side having an end opening and a fixed side attached to the bottom solid portion, wherein the fixed side does not flex relative to the bottom solid portion; at least one middle gemstone setting having two side middle end openings; at least two middle bars, each of the at least two middle bars having a first protruding end and a second protruding end, wherein at least one of the first protruding ends and the second protruding ends is received in at least one of the end openings and one of the two side middle end openings.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The flexible ring of claim 1, wherein each of the at least one middle gemstones settings has a left half, a right half and receiving space between a portion of the left half and the right half.
 4. The flexible ring of claim 1, wherein the middle bar with a first protruding end and a second protruding end is a double T shaped bar with a middle straight section, a first T shaped end and a second T shaped end.
 5. The flexible ring of claim 4, wherein the portion of the double T shaped bar that is received in at least one of the end openings and one of the two side middle end openings is a middle straight section of the double T shaped bar.
 6. The flexible ring of claim 1, wherein the bottom solid portion is between thirty (30) and forty-two (42) percent of the circumference of the flexible ring.
 7. The flexible ring of claim 1, wherein each of the first protruding end and a second protruding end have rounded edges.
 8. The flexible ring of claim 1, wherein each of the first protruding end and a second protruding end have squared off edges.
 9. The flexible ring of claim 1, wherein each of the at least two gemstone settings and the at least one middle gemstone setting has at least three prongs for retaining a gemstone therein.
 10. The flexible ring of claim 1, further comprising at least one light emitting opening along at least one outside portion of each of the at least two gemstone settings and the at least one middle gemstone setting.
 11. (canceled)
 12. A flexible ring comprising: a bottom solid portion, wherein the bottom solid portion is forty (40) percent of the circumference of the flexible ring; at least two gemstone settings attached to the bottom solid portion to provide end gemstone settings, each of the end gemstone settings having a fixed side and a flexible side having an end opening wherein the fixed side does not flex relative to the bottom solid portion;; at least one middle gemstone setting having two side middle end openings; at least two double T shaped bars, wherein a portion of each of the double T Shaped bars is received in at least one of the end openings and one of the two side middle end openings.
 13. The flexible ring of claim 12, wherein each of the at least one middle gemstones settings has a left half, a right half and receiving space between a portion of the left half and the right half.
 14. The flexible ring of claim 12, wherein the double T shaped bar has a middle straight section, a first T shaped end and a second T shaped end.
 15. The flexible ring of claim 14, wherein the portion of the double T shaped bar that is received in at least one of the end openings and one of the two side middle end openings is a middle straight section of the double T shaped bar.
 16. The flexible ring of claim 12, the double T shaped bar having two T shaped ends with a middle straight section, wherein each of the two T shaped ends have rounded edges.
 17. The flexible ring of claim 12, the double T shaped bar having two T shaped ends with a middle straight section, wherein each of the two T shaped ends have squared off edges.
 18. The flexible ring of claim 12, wherein each of the at least two gemstone settings and the at least one middle gemstone setting has at least three prongs for retaining a gemstone therein.
 19. The flexible ring of claim 12, further comprising a light emitting opening along at least one outside portion of each of the at least two gemstone settings and the at least one middle gemstone setting.
 20. (canceled)
 21. The flexible ring of claim 1, wherein the bottom solid portion is forty-percent (40%) of the circumference of the flexible ring. 